Christine U Valentine

A lifelong Francophile, as a young woman, Christine taught French in her native Pittsburgh before moving to New York City, which became her home for the rest of her life. She distinguished herself in an exemplary career in media as a senior publishing executive, editor, and consultant. She was also a producer and co-host of a nationally syndicated radio interview series.

Her beloved husband, Eric Valentine, Executive Editor of Greenwood Press, shared Christine’s love of New York’s cultural life. Christine and Eric’s home was open to writers and academics, critics, and editors. For almost three decades she and Eric hosted an early-afternoon reception at their home on February 14th— “It’s Valentine’s Day and we are the Valentines!”—that brought together friends, writers, editors, and gallerists in an annual impromptu salon.

Her proudest contribution to New York occurred after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. As the 9/11 Memorial & Museum took shape at Ground Zero, she was tapped to oversee and copyedit the text for the Museum. She understood that the style adopted had to convey information to each visitor in precise language, a challenge in light of the emotional impact of the Museum’s exhibitions.

A lifelong Catholic, Christine was devoted to community service. She served as a board member, officer or fellow of the New York Junior League, the Pierpont Morgan Library, the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Rehabilitation Through Photography, and the Isaac H. Tuttle Fund. She also served as a board member and president of her apartment co-op and volunteered at the Frick Collection and at her parish, St. Jean Baptiste Church.

Christine Anita Unkovic was born on Christmas Day in 1940. She was the third of five children of Mary Clark Unkovic and Nicholas Unkovic. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Philadelphia, earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Manhattanville College in Purchase, New York, and a master’s degree in French Literature from the University of Pittsburgh.

Christine is predeceased by her husband Eric, her parents, her sisters Madelon and Connie, her brother John, and her grand-niece Ruthie Mae. She is survived by her brother, Nick; her sisters-in-law Missy and Elizabeth; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and -nephews.

The family expresses deep appreciation for the love and care Christine received from her friends, to whom she was devoted and who were like family to her, her physician, the caregivers of Lenox Hill Hospital, and the staff of her apartment building.

Christine remains loved by many for her warmth, wry sense of humor, and keen intellect. A memorial service is pending.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Christine’s name to the Isaac H. Tuttle Fund, 1155 Park Ave., New York City, to Search & Care, Inc., 207 East 94th Street, New York City, to Convent of the Sacred Heart, 1 East 91st Street, New York City or to St. Jean Baptiste Church, 184 East 76th Street, New York City.